PRIZE
LIST FOR AMERICAN EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS ANNOUNCED 
Competitors gearing up for the second running of the American Eventing
Championships (AEC) and Festival of Eventing to be held September 14-18 at the
Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, North Carolina certainly have incentive to perform
well. It’s not just bragging rights on the line. There’s also the matter
of $50,000 in prize money, as well as over $75,000 in prizes including the following:
* five Amerigo saddles (one to the winner of each level’s Open division) *
$10,000 in gift certificates and coolers from new Contributing Sponsor, Saratoga
Horseworks * $5,000 in Bit of Britain gift certificates * a Stackhouse
saddle, plus bridles, girths and stirrup leathers provided by Stackhouse *
Charles Owen helmets * Maui Jim Sunglasses * $3,000 in Devon Aire
gift certificates * Mountain Horse SCS3 High Caliber Field Boots with the
new Stirrup Control System from Equestrian Collections * Mountain Horse
jackets * Tredsteps half chaps and paddock boots * Tipperary vests *
Likit gift packages * Mackinnon Ice Horse products * Blundstone paddock
boots from Sugar River Outfitters * ULCERGARD gift packs * Spalding
Labs fly predator gift certificates * 25-pound buckets of Platinum Performance
Equine * APF from Auburn Labs * Work Horse gloves * Saddle pads
and gift subscriptions from Practical Horseman * Copper mailboxes with the
USEA logo from Still River Designs * ThinLine saddle pads * products
from Leather Therapy, Grand Meadows, Healing Tree, Tally Ho, and Equissentials
This year the $50,000 in prize money will be distributed between all 11
levels, which are: Open Novice, Novice Horse, Novice Junior/Young Rider; Open
Training, Training Horse, and Training Junior/Young Rider; Open Preliminary, Preliminary
Horse, and Preliminary Junior/Young Rider; Open Intermediate; and Open Advanced.
The USEA has obtained keeper trophies for each winner. The trophies are
redwood boxes, with a high gloss finish, that display a gold-leaf seal of the
USEA on the lid and a plate inside commemorating the event, division, and year.
There will be three special awards: Arete Trophy
The Arete Trophy is dedicated in memory of R.G’s Renegade, a Selle
Francais/Thoroughbred gelding who represented the U.S. in many international competitions,
including the 2002 World Equestrian Games. The most articulated
value in Greek culture is Arete. Translated as “virtue,” the word actually
means something closer to “excellence, honesty, commitment.” R.G’s
Renegade was a horse full of spark and character; he was known for his antics
as well as his superb athletic abilities. He overcame many obstacles on his way
to reaching the pinnacle of eventing, most notably enduring two colic surgeries
just five months before finishing the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** in a torrential downpour
with no jumping penalties. He continued to compete at the international level
despite a recurring and chronic immune system condition. He gave his all whenever
and wherever asked. The Arete Trophy will be presented to the Advanced
division horse and rider who finish closest to the optimum time on cross-country.
In the event of a tie, it will be awarded to the highest placing competitors.
Exquisite Equestrian Award
“The journey is much more important
than the destination” best describes the philosophy behind this award, which
will be presented to the AEC competitor, regardless of their placing at the competition,
who has displayed courage and heart in the face of adversity. Competitor bios
will be used to determine the recipient, who will be awarded an Integrity Linen
wool dress sheet courtesy of Exquisite Equestrian—--a completely custom personal
shopping service that travels across the country to meet with clients at shows
or at their barns. They specialize in outfitting barns, horses, and riders with
custom products that reflect the highest possible quality, including Integrity
Linens, Oakcroft Tack Trunks and barn equipment, Vogel custom boots, commissioned
artwork by Tricia Scheele, and much more. Best Turned-Out Award
Fiebing will sponsor the “Best Turned-Out” awards given to
one competitor at each level after the completion of show jumping, so make sure
to have you and your horse in tip top shape for your show jumping round—perfect
button braids, polished hooves and boots, shining brass, and snow white saddle
pads. Ribbons will be given to finishers in first through tenth
places. Completion prizes from Contributing Sponsor Adequan, as well as ribbons,
will also be given to every competitor who finishes the competition. Competitors
can expect welcome bags full of an assortment of coupons and sample products including
3M Vet Wrap, Brush Therapy from Joz, Inc., Little Likit samples from Likit, sponges
from Equilite, and Microtek Wrap and Blanket Wash from Eqyss. AEC
Raffle: Sponsored by English Riding Supply You don't have
to be a competitor at the AEC to win, you just need to be lucky! The USEA is raffling
off not only a gorgeous 5A/Baker and Company duffel bag full of loot worth more
than $2,500, but a saddle worth almost $2,000 as well, from English Riding Supply
(ERS), the sponsor for the first annual AEC raffle. ERS is donating a Pessoa
Legacy Blyth Tait saddle, one of their fantastic trio of saddles offered to eventers.
The Blyth Tait saddle comes in Chamont French leather with the forward flap for
cross-country and a wider, more supportive seat. The other saddles in the eventing
trio are the Pessoa XL and the Anky XL. All three saddles can be seen and tried
out at the Equestrian Collections Booth at the AEC. A professional saddle fitter
from ERS will be available to provide assistance. All of these fine saddles are
available for purchase at www.equestriancollections.com. One lucky person
will win the saddle. A second lucky person will win the duffel bag full
of $2,500 in prizes, including: pair of SCS3 High Caliber Field Boots from
Mountain Horse
Masta turnout blanket from World Equestrian Brands, a division
of Equibrand
lovely 5/A Baker and Company duffel from Equestrian Collections
pair of Tredsteps paddock boots and half chaps
six-month supply of fly
predators from Spalding Labs
handmade copper mailbox with USEA logo from
Still River Designs
pair of Maui Jim Sunglasses
pair of Blundstone paddock
boots
Tipperary vest
products from Cowboy Magic courtesy of Southern
Pines Feed
products from 3M, Mackinnon Ice Horse, Finish Line, Likit, Auburn
Labs, and many others, with more being added daily.
All proceeds benefit
the U.S. Eventing Association. Ticket prices are $3/ticket, or book of
five for $10. You don't have to attend the AEC to purchase tickets. They
can be ordered through the USEA office by completing the form on the website (www.useventing.com,
click on the AEC logo). Print out the Raffle Form and mail it to the USEA with
payment, or fax it with a credit card number (Visa, MC, AmEx). Your tickets will
be added to the raffle at the event, and you'll be contacted afterward if you're
a winner! The winning tickets will be picked at the USEA tent in
the trade fair at noon on Sunday, September 19. For more information
on the AEC, visit the USEA website at www.useventing.com and click on the AEC
logo on the homepage. There’s still time to enter. All qualified
entries will be accepted through August 30 closing date. Good
luck to everyone. We can’t wait to see you there!
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